B.C. fruit growers say no to genetically modified apples

FILE PHOTO - Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. of Summerland spent almost five years getting U.S. approval for an apple genetically engineered no to turn brown.

Image Credit: Contributed/Arctic Apples

January 28, 2016 - 6:30 PM

KELOWNA – Fruit growers in B.C. are planning to ask the government to de-register the genetically modified Arctic Apple until further studies are done.

The request will come during the B.C. Fruit Grower’s Association's Annual General Meeting this weekend in Kelowna.

The Arctic Apple was heralded as a breakthrough when it was announced it to be the first apple resistant to browning.

“The organic tree fruit sector is extremely concerned about the introduction of the GMO Arctic Apple,” president Fred Steele writes. “Therefore be it resolved that the BCFGA request government de-register the Arctic Apple immediately.”

The Association also plans to ask the government to place a moratorium on future genetically engineered tree fruit pending scientific research and studies into the trade and consumer impacts.

Another top priority for the meeting is a change in cherry production insurance to cover quality when crops are negatively affected by wind damage.

The Association will also ask the Ministry of Environment to issue nuisance deer hunting permits for the Okanagan.

On the agenda for Saturday will be the annual vote for president, where incumbent Fred Steele will run against Jeet Dukhia.

The AGM takes place tomorrow, Jan. 29, and Saturday at the Ramada Kelowna Hotel and Conference Centre in Kelowna.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.